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The presence of Madonna feels almost incidental, as Price deals in back-beats and a pounding glib electro-clash. What comes out the other end, sparkling yet full of post-modern grit, is a Madonna song for people who don’t like – or even are actively hostile towards – Madonna.

Has Madonna become the immaterial girl? Or will the Re-invention tour re-establish her as the foremost female icon on the planet? On the eve of her first ever Irish appearance at Slane, Peter Murphy takes a look at the strange twist the Queen of Pop’s career has taken – and how she is now fighting back, for all she’s worth.

With Madonna's tour about to debut in Los Angeles this Monday, some of Slane's residents seem determined to keep their town out of pop history. The Re-invention tour is a virtual sell out - 47 of the 48 shows currently sport HOUSE FULL signs - with Slane likely to do the same within hours of tickets eventually going on sale.

As predicted first by hotpress.com over a month ago, Madonna has been confirmed as the headline artist for Slane 2004. The concert has been scheduled for Sunday, August 29, signalling a change in practice for the annual Slane Castle event, which has not taken place on a Sunday since Bob Dylan appeared there in 1984.

To be the honest, the history of Madonna remixes has been a chequered one. Even during her last golden period, every ‘Like A Prayer’ or William Orbit overhaul of ‘Justify My Love’ was followed by another dull as dishwater 4/4 dance mix of some other tune. Such trepidation, however, can be dismissed when approaching this impressive seven-track collection.

Whoever told Madonna that this song was actually any good must’ve been more concerned with their payroll than her actual music, for I fail to recall the last time I heard a record quite so utterly abysmal. Everything about it screams cock up: from the piss poor beats to the total lack of melody, from the humiliating “rap” to the cringeworthy lyrics. This song is exactly what it says on the tin: a forty-something woman with modest vocal talent attempting to be down with the kids. Tragic.